Spiced Honey Pear Tart with Almond Cream

Dessert | 8 servings

Pears poached in a honey-infused spice syrup and arranged over almond cream in a buttery tart shell create a dessert that honors the Gold Rush's complexity. Warm spices echo bourbon's vanilla and oak notes, while honey brings sweetness and a delicate floral quality. The tartness of the pears provides brightness, and toasted almonds add a nutty depth that feels simultaneously luxurious and comforting.

Ingredients

• 1 store-bought pie crust (or homemade)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 firm pears, peeled, halved, and cored
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Fleur de sel for finishing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Press pie crust into a 9-inch tart pan. Prick with a fork and chill for 15 minutes.
2. Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Pulse in a food processor with almond flour until combined.
3. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Fold in almond mixture.
4. Spread almond cream over pie crust. Bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside.
5. In a large pot, combine honey, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer.
6. Add pear halves and lemon juice. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until pears are just tender. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
7. Arrange warm pears over cooled almond cream tart. Drizzle with poaching liquid. Cool before serving.
8. Finish with a pinch of fleur de sel.